The Best American Mystery Stories 2010 Edited by Lee Child and Otto Penzler. Overall a bit of a disappointment as compared to the other books in this series. That being said there were some great stories mixed in.
My favorites;
Ed Luby's Key Club by Kurt Vonnegut
He was amazing, truly one of the best American novelists of all time. His dark social commentary shows up in this one and adds another layer to the story.
Animal Rescue by Dennis Lehane
I love his work. Best opening line I've read in a while "Bob found the dog in the trash." Simple, concise and makes it impossible not to want to keep reading. The story ended up being about an awkward, lower iq'd criminal with a heart of gold. And the dog ended up being fine :)
The Case of Colonel Warburton's Madness by Lyndsay Faye
A Sherlock Holmes mystery that could have been written by Sir Author Conan Doyle himself. A story from Watson's days in America about an old crime that still remains unsolved. Holmes is challenged to solve it from his chair.
A Jury of His Peers by Jay Brandon
This story was about a Texas lawyer in the 1840's who returns to San Antonio after a year in a Mexican prison. The story was inspired by real events when in 1842 Mexico decided that an effective way to deal with those pesky Texan deserters was to capture every lawyer in San Antonio effectively creating a lawless community. They forgot about the cops and people's ability to move on.
Dredge by Matt Bell
The main character finds a dead girl floating in a lake, decides to keep her and find the killer himself. He's clearly disturbed and not bright. Fantastic story.
The First Rule Is by Gar Anthony Haywood
This story is about about two former high school basketball stars, one makes it to the NBA and the other gets hurt and turns to a life of crime. Another one that was hard to decide if I liked it and ultimately it just made the cut.
The Emerald Coast by R.A. Allen
This one was awesome and dealt with an lot in a short story. This is about a couple of buddies who grow up on the wrong side of the law and about a serial rapist & killer.
Tell Me by Lynda Leidiger
I liked this one about a woman who is recovering from a brutal rape and attempted murder. Great family dynamics and really interesting.
My could have been really good but's;
The Shipbreaker by Mike Wiecek
Lot of potential in the idea of this one. Set in India with a crew of poor laborer breaking up huge ships for scrap metal. Murder of a powerful worker and theft of a lot of cash. All the elements were there but it just missed for me.
The Cross-Eyed Bear by John Dufresne
This one also just missed. It was about a catholic priest who is accused of molesting an altar boy and the bad men who are in charge of cleaning up the mess.
Maynard by Mary Stewart Atwell
A story about a pregnant woman who runs away from her boyfriend and his sister. This one was borderline for me, it was good and well written but just missed my favorites.
The House on Pine Terrace by Phillip Margolin
So close to being amazing. Crooked copy, sting operations, drug dealers. Just fell a little flat.
My I don't agree with the editor's selection's;
Charlie and the Pirates by Gary Alexander
It's annoying when a story that has someone shot in the neck with a crossbow isn't good.
An Early Christmas by Doug Allyn
And I quote "Argh, more lawers, Zina groaned. I'd rather floss with freakin' barbed wire." Need I say more?
Designer Justice by Phyllis Cohen
This story started off the same way as batman with the murder & robbery of a rich couple, well only the woman got shot but besides from that it's the same. Then he goes though trial and has a twist at the end. Unfortunately it was boring.
Killing Time by Jon Land
The main character should have been bad ass and the plot a good foundation for a movie but it didn't come together for me.
Bias by Chris Muessig
Kind of boring detective story investigating a murder.
Bismarck Rules by Albert Tucher
I normally love stories about hookers and murder.
Custom Sets by Joseph Wallace
Court story about guys who were members of a website of an exploited teen. Terrible exploitation and nothing else of interest.
Blood and Dirt by Ryan Zimmerman
Blah story of hillbilly brothers. One good and one not good. Boring story.
No comments:
Post a Comment